Thiruvananthapuram: The finance minister announced a Rs 2,000-crore package for the coastal regions battered by Cyclone Ockhi, but its implementation will be a concern in the backdrop of many previous programs failing to make any improvement to the lives of fisherfolk.
In his Budget speech on Friday, Thomas Isaac said the state decided to announce the package without waiting for the central government’s assistance since the situation was grave on the coast hit by the cyclone in November.
While this is the largest such schemes announced for the coastal areas so far, governments have spent tens of crores of rupees to improve the life of fishermen and their families, but without much noticeable success.
In the past decade, the state government spent Rs 28,62,36,602 towards improving the safety measures for the fisherfolk. The central government has given another Rs 59.15 crore.
Also, Rs 642.2 crore was spent in 10 years towards programs such as deposit guarantee, housing, group accident insurance and education of the children of fishermen.
Of the Rs 304.4 crore announced under housing schemes, Rs 274.8 crore was spent. For educational programs, as much as Rs 118 crore was announced in 10 years, and Rs 116.4 lakh was spent. Under the deposit scheme, Rs 186.8 crore was allocated and almost all of that was utilized, while under the group accident scheme, Rs 33.02 crore was allocated and Rs 29.8 crore was spent.
While the government is allocating funds, the money is not being utilized scientifically, said those working in the coastal sectors.
"Officials at the ground levels don’t have any connection with the coastal sector. Projects are implemented just for the sake of it. This is hurting the education sector the most," said Vipin Das, secretary of the Coastal Students Cultural Forum.
Another complaint is about diverting funds allocated for the coastal regions towards other work.
"They announce packages, but not even a quarter of those is spent. The entire community is being betrayed. The previous government had announced a Rs 100-crore housing project, but spent just a fraction of it," said Toni Oliver, the state president of an organization of fishermen.
Key projects for coastal regions:
• A mechanism to issue timely warning and help people on the coastal areas and those fishing in the sea
• A Rs 100-crore satellite-based communication system to link fishing boats and coastal villages
• A Rs 150-crore project to relocate families living within 50 meters of the coast. Each family that is ready to be relocated will be given Rs 10 lakh
• Rs 10 crore for preparing a detailed project report on the coastal development package
• Rs 600 crore for the fisheries segment
• Rs 240 crore for inland fisheries segment
• Rs 238 crore for coastal area development
• The government also announced a Nabard-backed Rs 584-crore project for fishing harbors in Arthunkal (Rs 61 crore ), Tanur (Rs 36 crore), Vellayil (Rs 22 crore), Mancheswaram (Rs 30 crore), Thottappally (Rs 80 crore), Kasargod (Rs 59 crore), Chetti (Rs 111 crore), Parappanangadi (Rs 133 crore), Kayamkulam (Rs 36 crore), Munambam (Rs 8 crore) and Neendakara (Rs 10 crore)
• The harbors in Chetti and Parappanangadi will be funded through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).
• KIIFB will fund Rs 900 crore of projects on the coastal region
